Administraive_Assistants

LEADERSHIP: Believe It or Not!

Administrative and Executive Assistants Are Leaders.

When I say “Leader” do you think in response to that statement, “Me!” or ‘Who, me?”Okay, Administrative Professionals, this is a vital issue to address, because whether you believe it or not, you ARE a leader. Every day, you (and thousands of administrative professionals out there) lead others within your circle(s) of influence toward – or away – from positive, enriching themes of life and work. Leaders are not those few with a particular job title or a pay grade. Which means, even in a support role, you ARE a leader. Everyone is a leader. Look at these examples:

  • An IBM regional manager recently stopped by his executive assistant’s desk at noontime to tell her he was headed out for lunch. He asked if he could bring her back anything to eat or even a coffee. Another employee overheard and was positively impressed by the manager’s behavior. 
  • An administrative assistant recently received a group e-mail sent to a broad audience, asking for substantive feedback on a policy manual. The admin went to the author and asked whether she could proofread and copy edit the document, to the requestor’s delight. The administrator found several errors and was able to improve the overall final version. 
  • A new assistant was hired to work at a Fortune Ten company. Within weeks, she and an incumbent admin had formed a tight clique. They took long lunches and accompanied each other on work errands, though doing so negatively affected work being done and office coverage. 

Each of these examples demonstrates how one person’s leadership affected another’s behavior, thoughts and ideals. As assistants, we need to eliminate the stuffy old bias that leadership is “for the bosses.” We instead must begin to grasp that we are at the forefront of work within our realm, and therefore, at the helm. We are leaders and what we say, do, think and feel and how we behave affects others and the work product itself.

Therefore, on an ongoing basis, we really need to step up our own leadership skills, abilities and ambassadorship of the work situations we encounter, instead of waiting for someone else to come along. We need to think of what to do instead of waiting to be told. We need to equip ourselves to handle issues in ways that are positive for ourselves, the work and for others.

Decades ago, the secretaries of yesteryear sat at metal desks to await a task to be brought to them. They did not ask questions. They did not volunteer. They did not increase their scope. They only did what they were told to do.

Today’s executive assistants and administrators know that business moves at the sound of light. Enlarging their own leadership skills and potential for leadership will make them happier, fulfilled and more capable. It will generate a good reputation, build a strong credibility with managers and executives. People will trust them. Enhancing and growing leadership traits is an investment; it benefits your executive, your work, your personal sense of fulfillment and ultimately, your career and destiny.

So, to act like a leader and build your leadership, what areas should you enhance?

  • Communication (Written, verbal, persuasive, conflict resolution, delegation, feedback.)
  • Seeing things from a “big picture” perspective (How will this affect other facets?)
  • Thinking of others, not just yourself (Like the IBM manager.)
  • Delegation (Everything can’t be done by you, period.)
  • Integrity (There is a line and you don’t cross it. Ever.)
  • Putting yourself in the middle of things and volunteering your skills (Like the proofreading admin.)
  • If you see it, own it.
  • Think big, think “out” and think about benefiting others and the work. (If something you would do could potentially affect others or other things negatively, don’t do it.) 

Whether or not you believe it, YOU are a leader! 

 

All administrative professionals have the opportunity to be a leader!

 

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

READ SIMILAR POSTS

Like this article? Share it!

Scroll to Top

Join Our Administrative Community

Join a community of administrative professionals who have taken advantage of our free career development tools. You will receive FREE ACCESS to Webinars, Monday Motivators, Special Discounts, Email Announcements, and much more!
By filling out this form and clicking submit, I agree to receive emails from Office Dynamics International. You may unsubscribe at any time from the bottom of our emails.